In an earlier order, the Madras High Court had said that Bedi "cannot interfere" in the day-to-day affairs of the Union Territory. Laksminarayanan's plea in Madras HC alleged that Bedi was running a "parallel government".

In an earlier order, the Madras High Court had said that Bedi “cannot interfere” in the day-to-day affairs of the Union Territory. Laksminarayanan’s plea in Madras HC alleged that Bedi was running a “parallel government”.

Meanwhile, the Centre challenged the Madras High Court order in the Supreme Court. The matter came up before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta.

Last week, the Madras High Court had ruled that the Lt Governor was bound by the decisions taken by the Council of Ministers in matters which rest with the legislature of Puducherry. The court said that the “Central government, as well as the Administrator, should be true to the concept of democratic principles”.

The Madras High Court ruling was hailed by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy who termed it as a “victory” of democracy.

There has been an ongoing power tussle between the CM and the Governor with the former claiming that the latter was “interfering in the functioning of the government”.

The tussle escalated after Narayanasamy launched a six-day agitation in February against Bedi’s “autocratic” behaviour. He accused Bedi of delaying clearance to welfare schemes and bypassing the government.

Reports say that Bedi’s decision to make helmet-wearing mandatory in the UT was the last straw for the CM. While Bedi wanted the helmet rule for two-wheeler riders to be implemented in one go, Narayanasamy wanted it in phases after generating awareness among the residents.